National Integration Committee Launches Special Task Force for Science and Technology Collaboration: "Creating a Free Research Environment"

Kim Han-gil "Passion of Scientists and Engineers, Key to Korea's New Leap"

The Presidential Committee on National Integration took steps on the 21st to devise measures with private experts to create an environment where scientists and engineers can freely conduct research.

On the same day, the National Integration Committee held the launch ceremony and the first meeting of the "Special Committee for Coexistence with Science and Technology" at the Government Seoul Office.

While major countries around the world are making every effort to secure talent in advanced fields due to the anticipated shortage of science and technology personnel, the National Integration Committee explained that the special committee was launched to overcome the current situation of a drought in science and technology talent in Korea caused by avoidance of science and engineering fields and brain drain abroad.

The National Integration Committee appointed Kim So-young, a current professor at the Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy at KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), as the chairperson of the special committee composed of 14 members in total, and appointed experts from academia and industry as well as researchers who can represent the voices from the research field as committee members. Chairperson Kim said, "Coexistence with science and technology is coexistence with scientists and engineers as well as with the public," adding, "We will focus on preparing various measures that allow scientists and engineers to immerse themselves in creative and challenging research so that they can make meaningful contributions to our society, not only through material support and economic incentives."

The special committee plans to derive policy tasks that are highly effective and feasible in the field of science and technology, focusing on four areas: ▲young scientists ▲university and research institute laboratories ▲global outstanding talent ▲policy and governance innovation.

First, the committee plans to spread a horizontal culture where graduate students and postdoctoral researchers are respected in universities and research institutes, and to create an environment where administrative burdens are reduced so that researchers can focus on their work. In addition, they will discuss measures to systematically support young scientific talents to expand opportunities to challenge creative research with hope and vision, and to advance into various fields of society by leveraging their scientific and technological expertise.

To attract excellent global talent, the committee will establish a compensation system commensurate with the achievements and added value created by scientists and engineers, and will consult with relevant ministries on measures to settle outstanding overseas talent domestically and to activate global networking. Furthermore, they plan to propose policies from the perspective of governance innovation to more efficiently implement science and technology support and human resource development policies promoted by various government ministries.

Kim Han-gil, Chairperson of the National Integration Committee, said, "The passion and sense of mission of scientists and engineers are the key to preparing for a new leap forward for the Republic of Korea," and urged, "I hope the special committee will propose policies to create an environment where scientists and engineers can devote themselves to research with vision and pride."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.